According
to tradition the next Buddha will be the Bodhisattva Maitreya. In 1987
images of Maitreya began appearing in the home of Mr and Mrs Yajima
in Nagano City, Japan. One of the images not only emanates a rainbow-coloured
light but even changes its appearance.
On 4 July 1987, an image of the Bodhisattva, emanating rainbow-coloured
light, was discovered on the bathroom window in the house of Mr and
Mrs Yajima in Nagano City, Japan. Mr Yajima first noticed the strange
patterns on the window while he was taking a bath.

Rainbow colours
emanate from the head and body of the 48-cm-high figure on the glass.
The image has a patterned, silver-coloured crown on its head. On its
neck, there are two strings of prayer beads. The image is standing on
a lotus, and is holding a small round-faced girl. (Previously, the image
held three babies, but at the moment only one is seen.) The image seems
to change daily. Previously, on foggy days, the rainbow-coloured figure
turned white, and looked as if it were wearing a soft, delicate white
silk kimono. The noble facial features became even more elegant and
beautiful. Mr and Mrs Yajima have seen this transformation four times
so far.

About the same
time as the window image was discovered, an image appeared on the wall
below the bathroom window. In the beginning, this image looked as if
it were just a stain, but as time went by, it became clearer, and the
outline darker. The image is approximately 40 cm high, and wears a pointed
hat with a rounded middle. It holds a water pot in its hand, and sits
on a lotus. The eyes of the image are now clearly visible on the wall.

In 1989, another
image appeared on the wall of the alcove in the main room of the house.
The solid-looking image seems to float off the wall. It is about 170
cm high.

A year later, during
the construction of a new portion of the house, a large image appeared
on the concrete wall of another alcove. Since then, the concrete wall
was painted over. The family placed a portable household shrine in the
alcove. Visitors report that a strong energy emanates from this area.
When people stand in front of the wall, golden powder sometimes appears
on their hands. When people place their hands near the window or the
wall, they report a sensation like numbness in their fingers.

About a year after
the image appeared on the bathroom window, the family demolished their
bathroom. In its place, they built a small temple to enshrine the glass
of the Bodhisattva. During the construction process, when workers were
digging in the ground below where the image appeared, they discovered
a ball about 35 cm in diameter. No one could figure out whether the
ball was made of wood, stone or iron. It has a strange surface, but
has not yet been scientifically investigated. The ball emanates a very
strong energy. Some people report that when they place their fingers
near the ball, their fingers feel numb.

When people place
their fingers close to the white walls of the shrine, a rainbow-coloured
light appears between the wall and their fingers. This phenomenon can
be seen only at the wall, and happens to everyone who tries it. The
rainbow colour is most clearly seen when the wall is in the shade.

When people walk
around the outside of the wall, touching the wall with their hands,
and then place their hands over the strange ball, the surface of their
hands, visible in the sunlight or under a flashlight, is covered with
gold powder. This also happens to everyone who tries it. Some people
find that their face or eyebrows are covered with gold powder.

Sometimes people
who try to take a photograph of the image on the bathroom window cannot
push down the cameras shutter; sometimes the camera breaks down;
sometimes, although they take the photograph, they find that no image
appears on the film. This occurs quite often. According to Mrs Yajima:
Even though there is no image on the photo, I can feel the energy
from the photo when I place my hand near it. Therefore, I feel I cannot
treat the photo carelessly.

In the beginning,
when the image of the Bodhisattva appeared in the house, people in the
neighbourhood felt envious of the Yajima family. Some people voiced
criticism. Not many people looked upon this favourably. It is very
difficult, but I feel I must protect the Nyorai (the Coming One) no
matter what people say.

Currently, 20-30
faithful people come to worship the Bodhisattva daily, says Mrs Yajima.
At one time, several hundred people came each day. Among those who worship,
some report various healings, including pain relief in their arms and
back, and psychological improvement. Various positive situations have
occurred for worshippers, including the prospering of their businesses.

About four months
before the first image appeared, Mrs Yajima began having unusual spiritual
experiences, which continue to this day. She has discovered that she
can look at a person, or even a photograph of them, and diagnose their
illness. When she places her hands on the person, the illness is healed.
This ability has come upon her suddenly. She herself is quite healthy,
and has never had any serious illnesses. But occasionally, when her
body feels sluggish, she tells that to the Bodhisattva, and is healed.

I would like
to spend the rest of my life helping others, making myself useful,
Mrs Yajima said. I hope to make use of this power which was bestowed
upon me. I would like to do something for other people. ( Share
International, April 1993 )